Australia abstains on Israel war crimes probe

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Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said yesterday the decision was unrelated to "recent events", a reference to Canberra's anger at Israel's failure to explain the use of three Australian passports by suspects in the murder in Dubai of a senior Palestinian militant.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied the involvement of its spy agency Mossad in the killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, which Dubai police say involved 26 people travelling on false passports from four nations.

However, Israel said last night it would provide whatever assistance was needed by any Australian investigation into the misuse of its passports, saying it was "a friendly country".

"There's nothing we have to fear here, we've nothing to hide," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor.

On Friday, the UN General Assembly considered a follow-up resolution to the Goldstone report on the Gaza conflict, which was passed with 98 in favour, seven opposing and 31 abstaining.

"The Australian government always considers UN resolutions on a case-by-case basis and on their merits," Mr Smith said. "Australian abstained on this resolution because unlike previous resolutions, it did not endorse the Goldstone report.

"Our vote on the resolution was neither determined nor influenced by recent events."

source-http://www.theaustralian.com